1910.1026(f)(1): Chromium (VI) Engineering and Work Practice Controls
Employers must use engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain chromium (VI) exposure to or below the PEL unless they can show such controls are not feasible, and supplement them with respirators where they fall short. Aerospace aircraft painting must be controlled to or below 25 ug/m3, and controls are not required for tasks that do not exceed the PEL for 30 or more days per year.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1026(f)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 16 times in the last 3 years, in 16 inspections, with $14,899 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MI (3), GA (2), OH (2).
- Related part: 1910.1026(f) Methods of compliance (16 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1026(f)(1) ("Engineering and work practice controls") is one requirement inside 1910.1026 Chromium (VI), an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). It includes 3 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(1) Engineering and work practice controls. 16 citations
(i) Except as permitted in paragraph (f)(1)(ii) and paragraph (f)(1)(iii) of this section, the employer shall use engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain employee exposure to chromium (VI) to or below the PEL unless the employer can demonstrate that such controls are not feasible. Wherever feasible engineering and work practice controls are not sufficient to reduce employee exposure to or below the PEL, the employer shall use them to reduce employee exposure to the lowest levels achievable, and shall supplement them by the use of respiratory protection that complies with the requirements of paragraph (g) of this section. Open (f)(1)(i) 15 citations
(ii) Where painting of aircraft or large aircraft parts is performed in the aerospace industry, the employer shall use engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain employee exposure to chromium (VI) to or below 25 µgm/m3 unless the employer can demonstrate that such controls are not feasible. The employer shall supplement such engineering and work practice controls with the use of respiratory protection that complies with the requirements of paragraph (g) of this section to achieve the PEL. Open (f)(1)(ii)
(iii) Where the employer can demonstrate that a process or task does not result in any employee exposure to chromium (VI) above the PEL for 30 or more days per year (12 consecutive months), the requirement to implement engineering and work practice controls to achieve the PEL does not apply to that process or task. 1 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1026.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Top states: MI (3), GA (2), OH (2), WI (2), KY (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| LMI FINISHING, INC. | CATOOSA, OK | $11,524 |
| 66152 - NORTH AMERICAN STAINLESS GP | GHENT, KY | $3,375 |
| SOUTHERN INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS, INC. | ATLANTA, GA | $0 |
| INDUSTRIAL PLATING COMPANY, INC. | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $0 |
| GREAT DANE, LLC | ELYSBURG, PA | $0 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
- Paint operations on aircraft and ground support equipment as related to the Chromium (VI) Standard’s exception for aircraft painting (2018-03-13)
- Use of ductless welding booths to filter hexavalent chromium-contaminated air. (2017-04-10)
- Use of feasible engineering/work practice controls for exposure to Cr(VI) for welding in confined spaces; housekeeping and disposal of large/bulky waste materials. (2007-05-31)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1026(f) Methods of compliance 16 citations
- 1910.1026(f)(1)(i) 15 citations
- 1910.1026(f)(2) Prohibition of rotation
- 1910.1026(f)(1)(ii)
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Frequently asked questions
What is the control target for aircraft painting?
Engineering and work practice controls must reduce exposure to or below 25 ug/m3, unless not feasible, supplemented with respirators to achieve the PEL.
When are controls not required to achieve the PEL?
When the employer can demonstrate a process or task does not result in exposure above the PEL for 30 or more days per year (12 consecutive months).
What happens if feasible controls are not sufficient?
The employer must use them to reach the lowest levels achievable and add respiratory protection meeting paragraph (g).
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.1026 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.